Handmade Stocking Stuffers for Children

• doll clothes - All it takes is a couple of pieces of scrap material and you can make a sheet set with matching pillowcase for your child's favorite doll. You only need to have the ability to sew a straight line. You can also make a skirt, a little scrap of fabric and a tiny piece of elastic thread. As you try out these two you will find you can do more than you think and you imagination will start working overtime.
• paper dolls - Cut out a picutre of a girl from a magazine and trim pictures of clothing to fit her. Quick and easy
• paper airplanes - there are websites out there that will show you step by step how to make a paper airplane. It will give you child hours of fun.
• jewelry - All it takes is a little string or elastic and a few beads. Your child would love a bracelet made by you, especially if you use a few letter beads to personalize it by adding her name.
• bubble solution - Add a little dishwashing detergent to some water, place it in a cute plastic bottle with a wand and you have your own personalized bottle of bubbles. If you decorate the plastic bottle you will make it a personal gift for your child.
• book of coloring pages - Online there are many sites where you can copy and print free coloring pages. Decorate a folder and print off coloring pages that reflect your child's interest.
• book of word searches - There a a number of word search sites already made up in different subjects and interests. There are also a good number of sites where you can choose your own words to make up a word search puzzle. Either way, most kids love to do word searches. i use them in school to reinforce spelling words.
• puzzle cards - Print off a picture off of the internet that reflects your child's interest ( ex. Mickey Mouse), glue it to a thin piece of cardboard, and cut it into several curvy pieces. Your child will have their own personal puzzle.
• play dough - There are many recipes out there for play dough, I am including 3 different ones.

 Ingredients:

2 cups warm water

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tbsp cream of tartar

Directions:

Mix together all of the ingredients and stir over low heat.

The dough will begin to thicken until it resembles the consistency of mashed potatoes.

Continue to cook on low heat until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and clumps in the center.

Remove pan from heat and allow dough to cool enough to handle.

Turn dough out onto a clean countertop and knead until it bcomes smooth.  Divide the dough into seperate balls for coloring.

Make a large dent in the senter of the first ball and drop a few drops of food doloring in the center.

Fold dough over and kned, working the color through the dough.

Store in airtight containers.  If your dough begins to dry out you can add a few drops of water to soften the dough.

To amke it prettier and more personal, use an empty frosting container.  Pint is, write on it, add stickers or decorate in any way you wish.

 Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 pkg unsweetened drink mix

1/4 cup salt

2 tbsp cream of tartar

1 cup water

Directions:

Mix flour, cream of tartar, salt, and unsweetened drink mix in medium saucepan. 

Add water and oil.

Stir over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes.

When dough forms a ball, remove from pan and let cool.

Knead until smooth,

Place in plastic container and store in refrigerator.

 Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 cup water

1/2 cup salt

2 tbsp cream of tartar

food coloring gel

glitter

Directions:

Mix together everything but the glitter in a saucepan.

Heat on low, constantly stirring until it forms a ball.

Remove at once and set aside to cool some.

Knead, adding glitter, until dough is smooth and uniform.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature.